Lead
Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES)
The Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program was created to reduce elevated Blood Lead Levels (BLLs) among working adults 16 years and older.
State health departments that choose to participate in the ABLES program by collecting BLL data for their state and providing these data to NIOSH. NIOSH researchers analyze the data to identify trends in adult workplace lead exposure. We specifically examine industries and occupations where exposures are occurring across the US. We use this information to guide interventions and prevent work-related lead exposures.
As of 2022, 37 states collaborate with NIOSH as part of the ABLES program. Participating in ABLES helps health departments monitor workplace lead exposure trends occurring within their state. The ABLES program also helps states find ways to prevent work-related lead exposure.
Each year, participating states submit:
- All blood lead levels (BLLs)*
- Workplace data
- Demographic information
* Most states report all BLLs, elevated or not, which is extremely useful.
As part of ABLES, we encourage state health departments to work with each other and with federal agencies and professional organizations to prevent work-related lead exposure.
We meet with participating states once a year to share ideas at the Annual Conference of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists.
ABLES Historical Documents
- Data into Action: NIOSH Blood Lead Surveillance Program Contributes to a Decline in National Prevalence Rates. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012-164 (2012).
ABLES’ impact is achieved by its longstanding strategic partnerships with state ABLES programs, federal agencies, and worker affiliated organizations. - Protecting Workers Exposed to Lead-Based Paint Hazards: A Report to Congress. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-112 (1997).
This document contains results from a comprehensive study of means to reduce hazardous occupational lead abatement exposures, directed by the Housing and Community Development Act (Public Law 102-550), which included as Title X the “Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. - Report to Congress on Workers’ Home Contamination Study. Conducted Under the Workers’ Family Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 671a) DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 95-123 (1995).
This document is a summary of Report to Congress on Workers’ Home Contamination Study conducted under the Workers’ Family Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 671A).
ABLES Summary Reports
- CDC [2016]. Elevated blood lead levels among employed adults — United States 1994–2013.MMWR (55); 59–65.
- CDC [2015]. Elevated blood lead levels among employed adults — United States, 1994–2012. MMWR 62(54); 52-75.
- CDC [2011]. Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance – United States, 2008 – 2009. MMWR 60(25); 841-845.
- CDC [2009]. Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance – United States, 2005 – 2007. MMWR 58(14); 365-369.
- CDC [2006]. Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance – United States, 2003 – 2004. MMWR (32); 876-879.
- CDC [2004]. Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance – United States, 2002. MMWR 53(26); 578-582.
- CDC [2002]. Adult blood lead epidemiology and surveillance – United States, 1998–2001. MMWR 51(SS-11); 1-10.
Use NIOSHTIC-2 to find ABLES publications. NIOSHTIC-2 is a searchable bibliographic database of occupational safety and health publications, documents, grant reports, and journal articles supported in whole or in part by NIOSH.
The State-based Occupational Health Surveillance Clearinghouse is searchable and includes materials produced by state health departments.